Farmers’ perception of climate change and gender sensitive perspective for optimised irrigation in a compound surface-ground water system

Water is becoming a scarce resource due to the immense intensification of agricultural activity, climate change, and demographic pressure. Hence, information on water use/management and their associated management practices is essential for selecting, planning, implementing, and monitoring schemes that optimise water use to meet the increasing demand related to basic human needs and welfare. This study presents the farmers’ perception of climate change from a gender sensitive perspective to promote adaptation and optimise irrigation/agricultural productivity in a compound surface-ground water system within the Anger sub-basin (Ethiopia). The study results showed that climate change affects water demand and supply routes in which more than 65% of the decrease in lake water level is due to climate change and overuse of surface water. The research findings show that women’s recognition and apprehension of climate change is much greater than men’s. Thus, women’s role in farming is important for ensuring food security at the household level. Gender sensitivity and can play a role in preventing the change in climate through optimising irrigation efficiency and suggesting the need for further research on its application to science. The study demonstrates that women’s participation in agricultural tasks, crisis management, and informal institutions is more vigorous than men’s. On the other hand, the understanding and communication of farmers is based on experience and concerns about the climate impact. Moreover, studies showed that climate change has a potential impact on the access to water supply for agriculture, urbanisation, and the environment. Therefore, there is a need to assess the dynamics of surface-groundwater interaction as affected by climate change and gender inequality to optimise the irrigation system.